New and improved PMNFT shows way forward in Merdeka

Despite confronting sudden changes before the tournament, a hungry Philippine men’s national football team (PMNFT) showed major improvement in the just-concluded Merdeka Cup battle for third against recent Asian Cup quarterfinalist Tajikistan in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

Tajikistan, ranked 43 positions higher than the Philippines and having won their Asian Cup games against top 100 teams UAE and Lebanon, eked out a 4-3 win via penalty shootout after a goalless draw.

The Philippines, however, dictated the tempo for almost the entire match, holding 55 percent of possession and having five shots on target as to only two from Tajikistan.

This was a marked improvement from last Wednesday’s game versus Malaysia, where PMNFT held 43 percent of possession in a narrow and controversial 1-2 loss.

Despite the 0-2 card, PMNFT had a very efficient offense nine shots on target in those two games coming from 16 attempts, producing one goal from Jefferson Tabinas.

“I’m very pleased to see our men’s team improving its performance in various aspects. They controlled possession, the passing and buildup were purposeful, there were more scoring opportunities than before, and their defense was very organized,” Gutierrez commended.

While Tajikistan had chances on the counter, PMNFT opened more goal scoring opportunities with better midfield and wing plays, creating early forays for Bjorn Kristensen and Paul Tabinas in front of goal.

Sandro Reyes had the first clear shot on goal in the 43rd minute that was saved by toweing keeper Oleg Baklov while veteran Kiki Reichelt skied a shot in the six-yard box from a Paul Tabinas entry pass to close the half.

In the 46th minute, striker Dylan De Munck’s volley hit the crossbar while a nifty left cross from Scott Woods nearly connected to Jarvery Gayoso.

Skipper Amani Aguinaldo had a crucial head block in the 59th minute, denying Tajikistan’s final shot on goal by Daler Sharipov.

Baklov maximized all his 6’5″ frame to stop the subsequent shots of Kristensen, Gayoso, and late sub JB Borlongan while striker Alex Monis missed a header in front and a goal scorring opportunity in the final possession.

“We dominated the game, we had so many chances to score. If we converted that, maybe we would be leading 2-0,” said PMNFT interim head coach Norman Fegidero after the game.

In the ensuing penalty shootout, Jefferson Tabinas and Gayoso hit the crossbar on their turns, which cost the bronze medal for the Philippines.

Goalkeeper Kevin Rey Mendoza, who started for Neil Etheridge, had an excellent save on Parvizdzhon Umarbaev, which was the only save in the entire shootout.

“It’s pretty clear that we played a different style of football — a lot more possession. We were more confident with the ball and we dared to play. This is the future of the Philippines. Wewant to play and I think we showed what we could do,” Mendoza, who was the vice-captain for the game, said.

Fegidero added, “as you see, we changed our approach in attacking and hopefully, if we can prepare [with] more time, I think the team will [be] getting better in future tournaments.”

There’s a lot of positives to take from this game and to bring to future camps,” Reichelt, the top international goal scorer in the team, said. “It’s a clean sheet. It’s 0-0. Now we have to get more clinical in front of goal and I think we’ll be more successful.”

“These are world class athletes we’re honing and this healthy balance of overseas-based and home-developed talents, both from the players and coaches, is our blueprint for the long term,” Gutierrez concluded. (PFF)